Hello David,
Before I specifically respond to your email let me state that the public
beta of 7.1 did time out today (Monday August 3, 2009).
The problem isn't that you don't live in the United States and because
you don't live in the United States we don't like you. The problem is
that you are not using the English version of Window-Eyes. Based on
your email address I looked in our database and it looks like you are
using the Norwegian version of Window-Eyes. I understand your
frustration and truly do wish things could get better with non-English
versions but unfortunately, it takes longer to get out non-English
versions. Obviously here at GW Micro in Fort Wayne Indiana, United
States Of America, we write our code in English. This is the only
language we actually know. Not only our code is in English but so is
our documentation and all our set files and all dictionaries are in
English and based on English versions of the operating systems and
applications. We then ship the English version to anyone in the world
that wants English, not just English speakers in the United States.
At this point we have many companies that then take our English version
and localize all the things I listed above. Now you may say that 7.x to
7.1 wasn't big so why does it take so long but localizing is a big
process and takes a great deal of effort to do it correctly. I am very
proud of the work that all our companies that localize into the many
languages do and can sympathize that it takes time. In fact, if you
look at other screen readers it isn't uncommon at all to see the
localized version several versions behind the English version. You
don't see this with Window-Eyes but you do see a lag between the English
release and the localized release. Other than holding up the English
release until every language we support has been localized I don't have
a good solution for this.
We offer public betas to any Window-Eyes user but we state very clearly
that when the beta time expires they either need to install the official
release (which may or may not cost money) or revert back to the previous
version. We try to be as up front as possible about the entire beta
phase. At the risk of sounding arrogant, beta testing isn't a right of
Window-Eyes users, it is a privilege. There are obvious advantages by
us offering a public beta to help make sure we resolve any major issue
before going final which is why we try and have them whenever possible.
What I'm not sure of however is whether you were running the beta in
English or whether the Norwegian localizer provided a localized
Norwegian version of the public beta. If you are using English then the
simple solution is for us to provide you with the English 7.1. If you
have a non-English version you can always get the English version (with
the same serial number) for the cost of a replacement CD. Just let me
know if you would want this. If you were using Norwegian for the public
beta you have two choices. You can either go back to your 7.02 version
of Norwegian or change the the English 7.1 until the Norwegian 7.1 is ready.
As to why do we have a public beta time out when it is a free upgrade,
the simple answer is we don't want the public beta copies to continually
be used and it is amazing no matter how far out we put the timeout,
people continue to use it until they no longer can. As stated, a public
beta is not an official release and we do not want to continue to
support a non-official release. You'll find this is very common in any
computer software which is released as a public beta whether the upgrade
is free or not.
Finally, so you know, the Norwegian language was the first non-English
version of 7.1 to be submitted to us. We have been working on
finalizing a few last minute issues which were found so hopefully it
will be finalized very soon.
Again, I am sorry for the hassles non-English users have to put up with
but I really don't know how we can resolve this other then as I stated
above, we hold up any release until all non-English languages have been
localized which just isn't a realistic option.
Regards,
Doug
David wrote:
GW HAS DONE IT AGAIN,
Are we to congratulate, laugh or cry?
I made a note on this, last year, upon the final release of WE7.0. I
was told, that the staff would look into the matter, for future
releases. Hence, I really expected, that things would have changed,
when WE7.1 was turned out the door, this spring/summer. But, this
morning, my computer, told all my dreams to fly, as far away, as ever
possible. GW, still seem to think that NON-US users are not as
important, in the BETA cycles, as the US udsers. Strange!Especially,
since several features/bugs, have been discoverd and fixed, namely
because of feedbacks coming from outside the US. Allright, let's take
a look at the history - which seem to repeat itself - and get into
details, what all of this is about.
I am living outside the USA. The authorities locally, have decided
that I am only allowed to run a local version (european) of WE. I am
not very pleased with the way they force this upon me, but that is
another story, which has nothing really to do on this list. Yet, I was
given the version of WE6.1, about two years ago. Last spring, when GW
introduced the first BETA of WE7.0, I gladly threw myself onto the
merry-go-around, of installing, testing, and feedbacking the Beta
version. I enjoyed the whole three-step Beta cycle, all through last
summer, and got to love several of the new features in WE7, including
scripts. In many ways, I realized, that my daily computer operations,
became relying on many of the new features. Then, at the end of last
summer, GW made the FINAL release of WE7.0. That is, the final version
of the US WE7. For those of us, who was running a NON-US version - at
the bottom of our installation - we were still left with the Beta3 of
WE7, for about a month or so. Then, one morning, we woke up, turned on
our computer, and was told, that the BETA3 had expired, and our WE
installation, was now running in demo mode. This left me, and all
other users in the same setting, who had decided to join the Beta
testers club, with two options: 1) Leave WE7 on our computer,
restarting it every thirty minutes, due to the demo mode; or, 2)
Reinstall WE6.1, rolling ourselves a 'century' of operation back (at
least, it felt like that). The release of WE7 locally, appeared on the
scene, six months later, which meant, that not until LATE February
this year, I was actually given the chance, to install my final
version of WE7, and really start to enjoy it. As you all know, only a
couple of months later, the Beta of WE7.1, was realeased, Once again,
I joined the Beta cycle, and let the list, and staff, have whatever I
could give, for feedback, and bug-discovery.
As I said, in the introduction of this message, this very morning, I
woke up to the realization, that GW has let the history, repeat
itself. Now, the Beta version of WE7.1, has turned into a
demonstration mode, and I am once again, left with no other real
choice, but to throw myself back to the WE7.01 version, loosing all
the benefits of WE7.1. When will the local version of WE7.1 be out?
HM! Well! One month, three months, half a year? Nobody knows, and the
local dealer tells - in the best GW spirit - it will be out, when it
is out.
Based on the feedback I got last fall, when I made my complaint to GW
staff, I really thought they would have had a work around this
situation, this time. Seems strange to me, that we are living in 2009,
and there still is no way for users outside US, to join a Beta cycle,
and smoothly, without any break, get their final version, whenever it
is available. Just like the users of a US version, who join the Beta,
and within a few weeks of the final release, can install and enjoy it
fully.
"Come on, mr. There really ain't that much difference between 7.01,
and 7.1! Simply rolling back your installation, won't make any change!"
It won't, ayeh? Wel,, let's have but one look at that matter: Several
scripts, have been upgraded to run under WE7.1. Trying to run them
under WE7.01, now only results in an error message, letting me know,
that I no longer can make use of the features, these scripts offered.
That, in reality, means that not only am I forced to go back to
WE7.01, but the scripts, and features from the scripts, that I have
been used to, is no longer available, putting me even further back.
Wonder, how many of the US users, would have accepted this kind of
rhow-back with their screen reader. Yes, the world actually has other
continents, but the North-American one. And, yes, Gw proudly anounces
that they are a worldwide known manufacturer of the screenreader
Window-Eyes. What they don't tell, anywhere on their webpage, is that
the only ones who really are welcome to use the ability of joining
Beta cycles, are those who are located right outside GW's front-door.
The loose of the 'new' versions/features of WE, does NOT IN ANY WAY
encourage users outside North-America to join the Beta cycles. That,
in turn, does mean, that several bugs, would never, or at least,
hardly have been discovered, and fixed.
It puzzles me even more, this time, since WE7.1 only can be installed
upon a WE7/WE7.01 installation, and furthermore, the 7.1 version is a
free-of-charge upgrade for those of us who already have the we7 series
installed. Why, then, all of this paronoid beta expiration, when it is
a free of charge upgrade? And no matter what all about payments etc,
GW really owe to reward those of us, who take our time and efforts to
join the Beta testers club, contributing to making the WE screenreader
as good as it is, that much that we all would have a beta running,
till we are offered a full version in our local area. This is fully
technical possible. Other manufacturers are able to do things like
that, and GW should have a work around it. At least, they could offer
the NON-US users, who are joining the Beta cycle, a temporary license
key, that would expire about one month, after the final realese
locally. What's the matter, why has nothing like this been around long
time ago, GW STAFF? See what your product would be without Beta
testers all over the world? And try the same behavior toward your US
customers, and see how long it will take, before noone wants to Beta
test any longer, or even deal with your business. Sure, you would
never be making big business, if you did this in the States, so why
then, do it outside? Ain't we all humans?If an upgrade is beneficial,
or necessary, in the US, what makes you think, it is not in the rest
of the world? I really hope, that GW will come up with a reliable work
around for this issue.
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your message to [email protected] so the entire list will receive it.
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